Indians rumors: Cleveland still considering Jim Thome

The Cleveland Indians are still considering signing a designated hitter to a "very modest contract," according to Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer, and free agent Jim Thome remains a possibility:

The Indians are still thinking about signing a DH to a very modest contract. Thome remains a possibility.

Ever since declining Travis Hafner's 2013 option, the Indians have been in the market for a DH. They remained interested in re-signing Hafner until he officially inked his deal with the New York Yankees. However, Pluto notes that Cleveland was only willing to extend their former DH a minor league contract, as they were concerned with his injury history.

Related: Indians come to fork in road, take it

Speaking of former sluggers, the Indians have also been tied to Manny Ramirez. He's done alright in the Dominican league this winter, but Pluto still considers it a stretch that the Indians agree to bring him and his baggage back on board.

That leaves the Indians with Thome and few other free agent DH options. Thome's deal would likely be of the minor league variety if that's all Cleveland was willing to extend Hafner. Thome has also dealt with injuries recently - specifically to his back - which limited him to 58 games with the Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles last season. When he was healthy enough to play, Thome hit a combined .252/.344/.442 with seven doubles and eight home runs over 163 at-bats.